Have your say on plans to ban dogs from parts of Coventry

Dogs could be banned from parts of Coventry under new orders being considered by the city council

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Dog owners can now have their say on potential new plans by the city council which could see dogs banned from parts of Coventry.

A public consultation has been launched over proposals to introduce four new dog orders that could include new exclusion zones and also give officers the power to force owners to put their pet on a lead.

The orders could be added to the current fouling of land by dogs order already used by the city council, which would bring them in line with neighbouring authorities in Warwick, Rugby and Nuneaton and Bedworth, where the other orders have already been adopted.

If they are all introduced, owners could be forced to keep their dogs on a lead in public places such as parks, graveyards and car parks, and even banned altogether from certain areas of the city.

The orders could also mean walkers being limited on the number of dogs they have with them at any one time as well as restricting dogs from entering certain public places such as children’s playgrounds. On-the-spot fines for breaking the orders could also rise from £75 to £80.

Coun Phil Townshend said: “We want as many people as possible to reply to the consultation and to pin down particular areas of the city where inappropriate anti-social behaviour among some dog owners may be more of a problem.

“This is not about the city council being heavy handed, but about looking at ways to take proportionate action to protect the young and the old alike, and to reduce the risk to public health from dog-fouling, and similar problems.”

The orders do not apply to guide dogs, hearing dogs, dogs for the disabled and support dogs.

The public consultation will run until Sunday October 5. People can have their say by going online at www.coventry.gov.uk/dogcontrolorders